Troubled in mind, Perseus went to the seashore and confided his fears to the waves. Hermes, the divine messenger, at once appeared and promised his assistance. He conducted him to the house of Night in the extreme limits of the earth, where there is neither the golden light of the sun nor the mild lustre of the moon. The daughters of Phorcus, the monster, who were gray at birth, dwelt in that fearful darkness. They had but one eye and one tooth, common to them all. The fearless Perseus snatched from them both eye and tooth. They raised a frightful clamor and implored the youth to restore them. “It shall be done,” said Perseus, “if you will show me the way to the nymphs.” They did so, and he returned them. From the nymphs he received the cloak of Pluto, the winged shoes of Mercury, and the shield of Minerva. He donned the cloak which rendered him invisible, and fastened the winged shoes to his feet. Hermes gave him a sword. Then he rose in the air with his winged feet and in a trice reached Oceanus. There dwelt the sisters, the terrible Gorgons, whose heads were covered with snakes. The chill of death struck those who looked upon them, their breath left them, and they turned to stone. The monsters slept with their faces turned downwards. As Perseus courageously approached with his drawn sword, Hermes and Athene suddenly stood at his side, instructing him how to begin so as to keep his word. “Advance so you do not see the faces,” said they, “lest they turn you to stone. Draw your sword only against the middle one of the Gorgons, the Medusa, for she alone is mortal. When you have recognized her, raise this gleaming shield in which her face will be mirrored.” After these words, the immortals left the youth. Approaching nearer, he saw the figure of the Gorgon on his shield. He raised his sword and struck off her head. He then seized it by the snaky hair, fastened it to his shield, and hurried away. The two living Gorgons awoke and swept the air with their wings, but could not catch the youth, as the cloak of Pluto hid him from their sight. On his way back, Perseus came to Ethiopia. The people there were in great trouble, for a dreadful calamity had happened to them. The water of the sea was in flood and had brought with it a monster which devoured men and animals. The oracle was consulted and gave this answer: “Only when Andromeda, the king’s daughter, is given to the sea monster for food will the flood abate.” Although the noble maiden was greatly beloved, there was a universal demand to offer her up and save the country. Andromeda was thereupon taken to a rock and securely bound to it. Flying through the air, Perseus saw the maiden. He immediately descended and ascertained her fate. Then he hastened to the king and asked him if he would give his daughter to him for wife if he freed the country from the monster. The king promised that he would.